6/4/2009 - West Side Leader
     

In response to a resident’s request at a previous Sharon Township Board of Trustees meeting, Sharon Fiscal Officer Michael George gave a financial update at the May 26 meeting.

George said of the $3 million the township appropriated for 2009 expenses, only $434,866 has been spent so far. That spending includes $111,830 from the general fund, $167,683 from the roads and bridges fund, and $155,352 from the fire department fund as of April 30, said George.

According to George, Sharon’s total remaining balance (operating and capital) was $2.6 million as of April 30.

In other financial matters, George reported he has been looking into the possibility of switching township banks.

Sharon currently does its banking with Fifth Third, which has a $150 monthly service charge and a 0.25 percent interest rate, said George. Locally run Westfield Bank offers a 0.5 percent interest rate and no monthly service charge, he said.

Trustee Kimberly Bolas Miller said in order to switch, the township will need to open a bidding process and make it available to all banks.

Also at the meeting:

• The trustees approved the purchase of an ASCO transfer switch for $2,058 and 16 hours of labor for the fire station’s generator. Haas said the unit also needs an injector pump, which can be rebuilt for $600, rather than purchased new for around $2,400.

“Right now, [the generator] is in service,” Haas told trustees, “but it doesn’t maintain constant voltage.”

• Trustees discussed the purchase of a new public address system after experiencing technical difficulties with the current one at Memorial Day events. Service Director Norman Hydel suggested a system with a wireless microphone and four wireless speakers.

“I think that is a great idea,” said Bolas Miller, adding they could begin looking at prices.

• Hydel reported that roadside mowing was set to begin this week.

• Sharon resident Rita Jean Wagar told trustees the Sharon Heritage Society recently donated $125 to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park in Clinton for an 8-by-8-inch brick honoring all Sharon Township veterans.

• Trusees announced a public hearing will take place June 9 at 6:30 p.m., just prior to the trustees’ regular meeting, on the matter of outdoor wood-burning furnaces.

• Haas reported that fire truck No. 131 recently struck an AT&T vehicle while backing up at a cell tower work site. According to Haas, the incident resulted in minor to moderate body damage to the AT&T vehicle and some scrapes to the bumper of the township truck. Estimates for repairs are being gathered, said Haas, and the truck’s driver has faced disciplinary action.

Also at the meeting, Trustee Ray Lurtz said an amplifier was recently stolen from the Administration Building. As a result of the incident, the Medina County Prosecutor’s Office recommended keeping the building’s doors locked even during regular business hours, requiring visitors to knock for assistance, Lurtz said.

The next regular Sharon Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for June 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Township Administration Building on Sharon Circle.

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